Basic 7 · Religious and Moral Education · Attributes of God
God as Creator and the Purpose of Creation
In this topic you will explore how the three major religions explain God as Creator, and discuss the purpose and usefulness of the things God created.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Describe the creation accounts in Christianity, Islam and African Traditional Religion
- Explain the purpose of creation
- Discuss the usefulness of created things and how to care for them
What you already know
- The attributes of God
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- God
- Sub-strand
- Attributes of God
- Indicator
- B7.1.1.1.1 – Explain the nature of God through His attributes in the three major religions
Introduction
Who made the sun, the sea, the forests and human beings? All three major religions in Ghana teach that God is the Creator of everything.
1. Creation in Christianity
The Bible teaches in Genesis chapters 1 and 2 that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. He created by His word: "Let there be light," and there was light (Genesis 1:3).
| Day | What God created |
|---|---|
| 1 | light; day and night |
| 2 | the sky, separating waters above and below |
| 3 | dry land, seas and plants |
| 4 | the sun, moon and stars |
| 5 | fish and birds |
| 6 | land animals and human beings, made in God's image |
| 7 | God rested and blessed the day |
2. Creation in Islam
The Qur'an teaches that Allah created the heavens and the earth and everything in them. When He wills something, He says "Be" (Kun), and it is (Qur'an 36:82). Allah created the first man, Adam, from clay and breathed His spirit into him, and made human beings His representatives (khalifah) on earth.
3. Creation in African Traditional Religion
Many Ghanaian traditional stories describe God as the Creator who made the world and then withdrew to the sky. An Akan story tells that God once lived close to people, but an old woman kept hitting Him with her pestle while pounding fufu, so He moved far up into the sky. People then built a tower of mortars to reach Him. The story explains why God seems far away yet is still the Creator of all.
4. Shared Beliefs
Although the stories differ, all three religions agree that God created the world and human beings, that creation is good, and that humans have a special place and responsibility in creation.
5. Human Beings: The Special Creation
All three religions teach that human beings are special in creation. The Bible says humans were made "in the image of God" and given authority to care for the earth (Genesis 1:26–28). The Qur'an says Allah taught Adam the names of all things and honoured the children of Adam above much of creation. Traditional belief holds that each person receives a soul (kra in Akan) from God, which gives life and destiny. Because of this, every human life is precious and must be respected.
New words
- creation
- Everything that God made.
- Creator
- God, who made all things.
- khalifah
- In Islam, a representative or steward of Allah on earth.
- myth
- A traditional story that explains how things began.
Summary
- Christianity teaches that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh.
- Islam teaches that Allah creates by saying "Be", and made humans His representatives.
- African Traditional Religion has stories of God the Creator, and all three agree creation is good.
Class activity: Creation Timeline
- Draw the seven days of creation from Genesis 1.
- Write one sentence on how Islam and African Traditional Religion describe creation.
- Display your work and compare the accounts.
You need: Bible, Qur'an, Printed photograph of a Ghanaian traditional shrine
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. On which day did God create the sun, moon and stars?
- A. Day 4
- B. Day 1
- C. Day 6
- D. Day 7
Show answer
Answer: Day 4Genesis 1.2. In Islam, Allah creates by saying…
- A. "Be" (Kun)
- B. "Go"
- C. "Come"
- D. "Stop"
Show answer
Answer: "Be" (Kun)Qur'an 36:82.3. All three religions teach that God is the Creator.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueShared belief.4. In Islam, humans are Allah's ______ on earth.
Show answer
Answer: khalifahRepresentatives.5. Describe what God created on the sixth day according to Genesis.
Show answer
Answer: Land animals and human beings, made in God's image.Day 6.6. What does the Akan story of the pestle explain?
Show answer
Answer: Why God, the Creator, seems far away in the sky.Explanatory myth.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- His Creation & Attributes
- Sub-strand
- Attributes of God
- Indicator
- B7.1.1.1.1 – Explain the nature of God through His attributes in the three major religions
Introduction
Every created thing has a purpose. The sun gives light, trees give fruit and shade, and rivers give water. Understanding this purpose helps us use creation wisely.
1. Purposes of Creation
- To show God's glory, power and wisdom.
- To provide for the needs of human beings and animals.
- To give people a place to live, work and worship.
- To keep the natural world in balance.
2. Usefulness of Created Things
| Created thing | Usefulness |
|---|---|
| sun | light, warmth, energy for plants (and solar power) |
| rain and rivers | drinking water, farming, fishing, transport |
| plants | food, medicine, timber, oxygen, shade |
| animals | food, clothing, transport, companionship |
| land and soil | farming, building, minerals such as gold |
| air | breathing, wind for drying and power |
3. Human Beings as Stewards
Stewardship: Taking care of something on behalf of its owner.
The three religions teach that human beings are stewards of creation. Genesis 2:15 says God put Adam in the garden "to work it and take care of it". Islam teaches that humans are khalifah who will account for how they used the earth. Traditional religion protects sacred groves, rivers and animals through taboos, such as not farming or fishing on certain days.
4. Misuse of Creation
When people misuse creation, problems follow. Galamsey pollutes rivers, bush burning destroys forests and wildlife, and plastic waste blocks drains and causes floods. These actions go against the purpose of creation and harm both people and nature.
5. Caring for Creation
We can care for creation by planting trees, saving water, disposing of waste properly, avoiding bush fires, protecting animals and supporting programmes such as Green Ghana. Caring for creation is a way of honouring the Creator.
6. Religious Teachings on Caring for Creation
Psalm 24:1 says, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." This reminds Christians that they do not own creation; they only care for it. The Qur'an warns against causing corruption on the earth after it has been set in order (Qur'an 7:56). In many traditional communities, the earth is respected as Asase Yaa (Mother Earth) among the Akan, and farming is not done on her sacred day. These teachings encourage believers to protect the environment.
New words
- purpose
- The reason for which something exists.
- stewardship
- Taking care of something on behalf of its owner.
- taboo
- A traditional rule forbidding certain actions.
- sacred grove
- A forest area protected for religious reasons.
Summary
- Creation shows God's glory and provides for human and animal needs.
- Humans are stewards who must care for creation.
- Misuse such as galamsey and bush burning harms creation, while tree planting and proper waste disposal protect it.
Class activity: Creation Care Pledge
- List three ways creation is misused in your community.
- Suggest a solution for each.
- Write and sign a class pledge to care for creation.
You need: Bible, Qur'an, Printed photograph of a Ghanaian traditional shrine
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which created thing gives light and warmth?
- A. the sun
- B. the soil
- C. rivers
- D. rocks
Show answer
Answer: the sunLight and energy.2. Taking care of something on behalf of its owner is…
- A. stewardship
- B. ownership
- C. destruction
- D. worship
Show answer
Answer: stewardshipCare for creation.3. Sacred groves help protect forests.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueTraditional protection.4. A traditional rule forbidding certain actions is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: tabooe.g. no fishing on certain days.5. State three uses of plants.
Show answer
Answer: Food, medicine, timber (or oxygen, shade).Any three.6. Explain how galamsey goes against the purpose of creation.
Show answer
Answer: It pollutes rivers and destroys land meant to provide water and food, harming people and nature.Misuse.
Homework
- Plant a tree or a seedling at home or school and record its growth.